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G. E. Gallas

Writer & Illustrator

MISSION STATEMENT: For as long as I can remember, I have been telling stories through words and images. I am a graduate of New York University: Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I created my own major: a cross-cultural study of storytelling within film, literature, graphic novels, etc. In writing and illustration, I adapt this interdisciplinary approach, pursuing my diverse interests with in-depth research and imagination.

For as long as I can remember, I have been telling stories through words and images. I am a graduate of New York University: Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I created my own major: a cross-cultural study of storytelling within film, literature, graphic novels, etc. In writing and illustration, I adapt this interdisciplinary approach, pursuing my diverse interests with in-depth research and imagination.

Advanced to the Second Round (top 25%) of The 2012 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.

“…the script is a definite contender for the lab. It’s a unique idea with a capable writer at the helm… a noteworthy project…” –Feedback from the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2012

The Golden Curator

“What a neat and twisted little tale you have here… Even with all the craziness on the page, it never sounded like a campy comedy; instead, it was like a drawing room farce with just enough menace to make the viewer worry about the fate of our hero.” –Feedback from the 2013 BlueCat Screenplay Competition

“Death Is No Bad Friend is a poetic script that relies on imagery to evoke a morose feeling. The language is very well-crafted, with the characters’ style of speech accurate for the time period. Because the descriptions are succinct but also written in a similar style, the script reads easily and quickly while creating clear images of the locations.” –Feedback from the 2014 BlueCat Screenplay Competition.

The Man Who Never Smiled

“…a compelling structure for a short. It heightens the stakes knowing that the protagonist is going to end up in a life-threatening and bloody situation. It also makes the story compact and easy to digest — a great attribute in a short.” –Feedback from the 2014 BlueCat Screenplay Competition.

This Extraneous Evil

“Great use of setting here; the circus world is evocative and memorable, and allows the characters to express themselves with very little dialogue. …Overall, an interesting storyline with some sympathetic characters in a fascinating setting.” –Feedback from the 2014 Slamdance Screenplay Competition

Film Recommendations: Sanada-san stars in my favorite samurai film The Twilight Samurai (2002). This film has only two fight scenes (one short and one long), but they are both jaw-dropping in their seemingly effortless choreography and will have you on the edge of your seat!

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Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

Kou Shibasaki (柴咲コウ)

Best known for in the U.S.: Mitsuko Soumain Battle Royale (2000); she was slated to play Gogo Yubari’s twin sister Yuki in Kill Bill, but dropped out due to other commitments.

Notable Accolades: She won a Japanese Academy Award for her performance in Go (2001).

Why is she awesome?: She starred in the first Japanese television drama I ever watched called Orange Days (2004) in which she played a deaf character, performing all her lines in Japanese sign language. Plus, she’s an adorable pop singer (“KISS Shite” by KOH+).

Film Recommendations: Shibasaki-san stars alongside Joe Odagiri in one of my favorite Japanese films called La Maison de Himiko (2005) about a young woman who is asked by her dying father’s young male lover to work in her father’s nursing home for gay men.

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Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

Rinko Kikuchi (菊地凛子)

Best known for in the U.S.: Mako Mori in Pacific Rim (2013).

Notable Accolades: She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Babel (2006).

Wh is she awesome?: She’s the first Japanese actress in 50 years to be nominated for an Oscar! Plus, she’s appeared in a number of films with Tadanobu Asano (see below) including his directorial debut Tori (2003).

Why is he awesome?: Asano-san is a chameleon, changing drastically from role to role, appearing in every genre, taking on exceptionally unique characters. His friend and world-renown cinematographer (who has worked with such talents as Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh, Tilda Swinton, Colin Farrell, and Ralph Fiennes [another of my all-time favorite actors]) Christopher Doyle believes that “Tadanobu Asano is probably the best actor in the world today.”

Some of these film recommendations might be hard to find outside of Japan. If you’re having trouble finding a title and really want to watch it, message me at gegallas@hotmail.com and I’ll see if I can help! :)

Also, for those of you who go see 47 Ronin, leave a comment here and let me know what you think!

I am very pleased to announce that my first zine is finally in production!!! I’m currently assembling a number of copies to sell at various expos/fests/conventions I’ll be attending later this year as well as for my upcoming online store (which I’m hoping to launch sometime this summer).

As I mentioned before, my first zine is an illustrated Pre-Raphaelite poem. The poem will remain a secret until closer to the zine’s release. But I’ll give one free copy to the first person who can correctly guess which poem it is.

No one has yet to guess the correct poem, so here we are at round three! Therefore, I’ve added a few more hints (#6 and #7) I hope will help quickly determine a winner. :)

A few weeks ago, I finished the pen work for my first zine. I’ve been very busy recently, but hope that sometime soon I’ll be able to get this zine scanned, printed, and watercolored. Then, once The Flea plush toy is ready, I’m planning on opening my online store! :D

Here are a few closeups of some pen work for the zine:

As I mentioned before, my first zine is an illustrated Pre-Raphaelite poem. The poem will remain a secret until closer to the zine’s release. But I’ll give one free copy to the first person who can correctly guess which poem it is.

I’ve realized that I made this contest a little bit too hard. Thusly, I added a few more hints (#4 and #5). Also, be sure to check the comments of my post First Zine Progress and Contest!! for even more hints. I will be shocked if no one produces the correct answer this time!

Two Storiesis an autobiographical graphic novel that deals with themes of “…life, love, loss, and depression.” As far as I can tell, the novel will consist of a series of short stories that are all autobiographical, but will be presented in various styles, tones, and genres (“serious to silly”).

Not only are Josh’s illustrations absolutely stunning, full of texture and movement, but his storytelling is powerful and compelling. For this first chapter, it is not just a story of attempted suicide, but more astonishingly a step-by-step examination of the protagonist/author’s thought process — a complex mind that makes connections (from Shakespeare to It’s A Wonderful Life and back to reality) and plays tricks on itself (“The Suicide Game” on page 4).

As I mentioned before, my first zine is an illustrated Pre-Raphaelite poem. The poem will remain a secret until closer to the zine’s release. But I’ll give one free copy to the first person who can correctly guess which poem it is.